The past six months have been a very difficult experience.

The typhoons that visited the Philippines this year were extremely cruel in nature. It seems that  these yearly storms are becoming stronger and many experts blame global climate change. So many people lost their lives and many hundreds of thousands  lost their homes and possessions. Many will never be able to restore their former lives.

When it seemed that we could take no more; the weather changed. During the past week the changes  have become quite noticeable.

During the past three days, the skies have turned a beautiful deep blue with puffy white clouds that move in a slow and lazy path across the sky. There is a gentle breeze unlike the cruel and destructive winds of the typhoon. This gentle breeze seems to play with the leaves on the trees saying, “I am not going to hurt you anymore – let us enjoy one another.” The breeze continues on its path through the remaining rice fields behind my house. Watching the interaction of the two seems like a giant hand running its fingers through the golden strands of rice.

The coming months are my favorite time of the year. This is winter in the Philippines. The days will stay warm but not overly hot and humid. The nights will become cold…cold in our definition of what cold is.

The early mornings will beckon one to take that early morning stroll. A stroll where the air is clean and crisp and where one takes it in like a a favorite spoonful of ice cream.

This is the calm and beautiful time of the year. It is the time to forget about our pain and suffering and prepare for the coming holidays.

Christmas is a time of reflection and  renewal. A time for remembering the birth of Christ. A time to re-unite with family and friends. A time to slow down and enjoy the very essence of what life is about – sharing our love with the people that matter most in our lives.

This is, also, the best time for visitors to come to the Philippines. Enjoy the cold and snow of your winter until the holidays are past, then come visit our beautiful land. You will be able to, not only, renew your body but, more importantly, your soul. I have traveled most of my life and I can say for a fact, you will not find a more friendlier people than the Filipino people.Come and enjoy a slower way of life where making new friends and learning new things is a happy experience that will never be forgotten.

Come and share the Mabuhay Experience!

Technorati Tags: Global Climate Change, Mabuhay Experience, Philippine Tourism, Typhoons, Visit the Philippines, Winter in the Philippines